Asia and the Pacific

Morada, Noel M. (2012). Asia and the Pacific. In Jared Genser, Irwin Cotler, Desmond Tutu and Vaclav Havel (Ed.), The responsibility to protect: The promise of stopping mass atrocities in our time (pp. 136-158) New York, United States: Oxford University Press.

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Author Morada, Noel M.
Title of chapter Asia and the Pacific
Title of book The responsibility to protect: The promise of stopping mass atrocities in our time
Place of Publication New York, United States
Publisher Oxford University Press
Publication year 2012
Sub-type Critical review of current research
Editor Jared Genser
Irwin Cotler
Desmond Tutu
Vaclav Havel
ISBN 9780199797769; 0199797765
Chapter number 7
Start page 136
End page 158
Total pages 23
Total chapters 16
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary The Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) is still fur from having taken root in China, Southeast Asia, and the larger Asia Pacific region. The novelty of this emerging political norm is appreciated by the informed public, particularly intellectual elites, given its focus on redefining sovereignty as responsibility in protecting peoples against mass atrocities. At the same time, however, there are still serious reservations in this part of the world among governments and non -state actors in embracing the principle in the absence of acceptable universal standards and mechanisms in implementing it, especially if there is manifest failure of states in protecting their people.
     This chapter examines the context and dynamics of promoting RtoP in the Asia Pacific, focusing mainly on China and Southeast Asia and the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A discussion of other Asia Pacific countries' positions on the RtoP debate in the United Nations in July 2009 is also presented to show whether there is an emerging consensus in the region about the principle and its application. The main argument of this chapter is that, notwithstanding a number of challenges and constraints, a stronger commitment in protecting peoples against mass atrocities is possible in the long run. This would depend largely on how RtoP is adapted and operationalized in the context of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, which is still valued by many states in the region. At the same time, there is a need to promote constituency-building around RtoP at both regional and domestic levels.
     What follows is a discussion of China's position on RtoP as well as its views and behavior in dealing with international humanitarian crisis situations and protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Thereafter, the chapter presents a discussion of ASEAN's views and position on RtoP, including Southeast Asia's geopolitical and historical context, which provides an important background to how traditional norms in ASEAN have evolved.
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